Thesis Title

Author

Date of Graduation

Fall 1995

Degree

Master of Science in Biology

Department

Biology

Committee Chair

John Steiert

Subject Categories

Biology

Abstract

Four psychrophilic marine bacteria were characterized for taxonomic identification. All strains are Gram-negative obligate aerobes requiring seawater based medium. None of the four strains will grow at or above 22°C. All strains are orange-pigmented, encapsulated, and catalase positive. Strain 12-02 is C-shaped and motile. The morphology of strain 80-0 is rod-shaped, strain 106-0 is a filamentous rod, and strain 116-01 is a pleomorphic rod. Strains 80-0 and 116-01 are both oxidase positive. The strains were tested for their ability to utilize 21 different carbon sources. A membrane fatty acid profile was generated for three of the strains. All the strains have a large percentage of branched and unsaturated fatty acids. The G+C content was determined for all the strains. All strains have a relatively low G+C content. Preliminary screening with octadecyltrimethyammonium bromide, a squalene cyclase inhibitor indicated the presence of membrane hopanoids. This was confirmed by gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry.